Ryan Kelly, Colts Agree to Reported $50M Contract; Will Be NFL's Top-Paid Center

The Indianapolis Colts announced Thursday that center Ryan Kelly has signed a contract extension. 

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is for four years and $50 million, with $34 million guaranteed. That makes him the highest-paid center in football. 

Head coach Frank Reich discussed Kelly's importance to the team in May:

"He has been top-notch. I mean, this guy has taken complete control of the offensive line room as far as the calls—what we do in the protection world and the run game. He is a really, really smart football player. He prepares very hard.

"I just think Ryan breeds confidence. I just think when you hear him make the calls you hear it with authority, you hear it with conviction. I think the offensive line feeds off of that."

Pro Football Focus gave Kelly a grade of 73.0 for 2019, eighth among centers.

He started all 16 games in both his rookie season (2016) and the 2019 campaign, while injuries (foot, concussion) cost him 13 games in 2017 and 2018 combined. He was a Pro Bowler this past season and has become a pillar of Indy's excellent—and well-paid—offensive line:

"I haven't told a lot of people this, but I never wanted to play anywhere else," Kelly said Thursday, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic. "This is home. This is where I wanted to be."